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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. One more day of blistered hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – an extraordinary 165-day expedition through Pacific waters that included intimate meetings with marine giants, failing beacons and cocoa supply emergencies – the sea had one more challenge.

Powerful 20-knot gusts approaching Cairns kept pushing their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.

Loved ones gathered on land as an expected noon touchdown evolved into afternoon, then 4pm, then early evening. Finally, at 6.42pm, they came alongside the Cairns sailing club.

"The concluding hours proved absolutely punishing," Rowe expressed, at last on firm earth.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and thought we might have to swim to shore. To finally be here, following years of planning, proves truly extraordinary."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The English women – aged 28 and 25 respectively – departed from Lima, Peru on 5 May (a first try in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Over 165 days at sea, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, working as a team through daytime hours, individual night shifts while her teammate dozed just a few hours in a confined sleeping area.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey across the vast Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or signaling devices, turning them into a "ghost ship", nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, crossed commercial routes and survived violent tempests that, on occasion, silenced all of their electronics.

Groundbreaking Success

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, across blazing hot days, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They have set a new record as the pioneering women's team to row across the South Pacific Ocean, continuously and independently.

Additionally they collected over eighty-six thousand pounds (A$179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Existence Onboard

The duo made every effort to keep in contact with the world away from their compact craft.

On "day 140-something", they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – down to their last two bars with still more than 1,600km to go – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience before her solo Atlantic crossing during 2022 establishing a record.

She has now mastered another ocean. Yet there were periods, she admitted, when they doubted their success. Starting within the first week, a way across the world's largest ocean appeared insurmountable.

"Our electrical systems were diminishing, the water-maker pipes burst, however following multiple fixes, we managed a bypass and just limped along with minimal electricity throughout the remaining journey. Every time something went wrong, we just looked at each other and went, 'of course it has!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. What was great was that we worked hard together, we addressed challenges collectively, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, hiked England's South West Coast Path, climbed Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."